On the Influence From Hydrodynamic Forces on Speed and Footprint for a Falling Riser

This paper presents analysis method and key results from dynamic simulations of a drilling riser on 1900 metres water depth after release of upper end. Key results are the geometry of the collapsed riser on the seafloor (footprint) and the impact speed of the riser when hitting the seafloor. The purpose of the study has been to investigate the influence on the results from operational and model parameters such as vessel offset relative to the riser base, current speed, hydrodynamic load model, material model and interaction between the riser and the seafloor. The main conclusion from the study is that most trends from parameter variations are weak and often overshadowed by a more stochastic variation caused by the inherent complexity of the mechanical behaviour during collapse.